Archive for November, 2007

Arroyo likely knew ‘cash gifts’ were given

Wednesday, November 7th, 2007

   
    
   
   

 

A
senator on Wednesday expressed belief that President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo was aware that "cash gifts" were distributed among congressmen
and local government executives last month in Malacañang, during the
height of calls for her impeachment.

This, as the Senate set for next week the start of hearings on the "cash gift" controversy.

Senator
Richard Gordon, who ran under the administration ticket in 2004, said
Mrs Arroyo who heads the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) was
likely to have knowledge on the distribution of cash gifts.

House
Deputy Speaker Ma. Amelita Villarosa, Kampi secratary, earlier admitted
that cash gifts distributed to various local government officials were
from Kampi’s funds.

"It is hard to believe that money, from
200,000 pesos to 500,000 pesos were being distributed without anyone
telling anyone what it was for and where it had come from," Gordon said.

"It
is even harder to believe that the President, who we assume is also the
leader of Kampi, did not know that money was being distributed like
rain or sunshine," he added.

Gordon said Villarosa’s admission
"puts to light the basest manifestation of our transactional political
culture and should challenge our people to rise up to make political
parties more accountable for their actions."

"We can’t say that
what had transpired in Malacanang was bribery or an attempt to secure
some kind of action in return for a generous sum of money. However,
millions of pesos changed hands under circumstances where the resident
of Malacañang was being assailed by scandals and an impeachment
complaint had just been filed," Gordon said.

The administration
senator said that in light of the cash gift scandal, he would push for
a legislation to compel political organization to divulge the sources
of their funds and how these funds were disposed.

"The bigger
aspect and the wider view of this action is to craft a body of laws
that will make political parties more accountable for their actions and
win for everyone a chance to sow the seeds of transforming our rotting
political culture," he said. - GMANews.TV

Arroyo likely knew ‘cash gifts’ were given -Gordon
         Posted November 7, 2007, 5:57 pm
         http://www.gmanews.tv/story/67662/Arroyo-likely-knew-cash-gifts-were-given–Gordon                          

   

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Younger, aggressive COMELEC appointees needed

Wednesday, November 7th, 2007

   
    
   

   

 

Nominees to the Commission on Elections should be “younger, more aggressive,” Senator Richard Gordon said Monday.

Gordon,
who heads the committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes
and laws, was reacting to reports that retired Supreme Court Justice
Jose Melo would be appointed as Comelec chairman.

Last week,
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Iligan City regional trial
court judge Moslemen Macarambon as Comelec commissioner.

“We
need a young leader who is savvy about information technology because
we have an antiquated election system. There are going to be pressures.
We need someone who can move fast and decide cases, and who can have a
tight rein on commissioners and Comelec people like [former election
commissioner Virgilio] Garcillano and [missing Maguindanao election
supervisor Lintang] Bedol,” said Gordon.

He said he would have
to check if retired justices could still be appointed to the Comelec,
even after they had received their retirement paychecks.

With
Macarambon’s appointment, there are three more vacancies at the poll
body — the one vacated by resigned poll chief Benjamin Abalos, and the
two to be vacated by acting Comelec chairman Resurreccion Borra and
commissioner Florentino Tuason in February next year.

Gordon
said that aside from appointing people of proven integrity,
independence, and competence, electoral reforms must be instituted.

“There
are so many things that you need to fix in the Comelec. Number one is
the pride problem. There is no pride in the Comelec, and their
reputation as independent arbitrator is shot. And they are in charge of
the most basic and fundamental right of the people,” he said.

Gordon,
who is set to file a bill seeking to penalize “political butterflies,”
said automation of the electoral system should be the administration’s
top priority.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=98904
Gordon calls for younger, more aggressive Comelec nominees
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 01:09pm (Mla time)
11/05/2007
   
   

   
   

      

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